Methods and apparatus for packaging

ABSTRACT

Methods and apparatus for packaging include a backing, a film, an item, and an activation card. The film may be coupled to the backing such that the couple between the film and the backing is formed by evacuation of material along the interface between the film and the backing. The item may be disposed between the film and the backing. In addition, the item may he deactivated except in response to a verification signal from a database. The activation card may be coupled to the hacking. Further, the activation card may comprise a set of instructions for transmission of the verification signal.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/744,475, filed 7 Apr. 2006, and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 11/202,721, filed 12 Aug. 2005, and incorporates the disclosure of each application by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Packaging may serve many purposes including preventing damage to an item during shipping, providing information at the point-of-sale, and impairing theft. Packaging technologies include affixing the item and a backing using an adhesive, enclosing the item within a flexible envelope of material, and surrounding the item by a molded plastic cavity or blister.

While these technologies may have benefits over shipping the item without packaging, they may also have shortcomings. For example, glues tend to lose adherence over time. As another example, items may shift during handling when enclosed in envelopes. In blister packaging, the shell must generally be formed independently of its use as packaging which may increase complexity of manufacturing. Additionally, blister packaging tends to be difficult to unwrap and may impair even a proper purchaser's access to the item. While all these systems may provide varying degrees of theft prevention, preventing a stolen item from being used without authorization may be an issue left unaddressed by these technologies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In various representative aspects, the present invention includes methods and apparatus for packaging including a backing, a film, an item, and an activation card. The film may be coupled to the backing such that the couple between the film and the backing is formed by evacuation of material along the interface between the film and the backing. The item may be disposed between the film and the backing. In addition, the item may be deactivated except in response to a verification signal from a database. The activation card may be coupled to the backing. Further, the activation card may comprise a set of instructions for transmission of the verification signal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the following illustrative figures. In the following figures, like reference numbers refer to similar elements and steps throughout the figures.

FIG. 1 is a view of one embodiment of a packaging apparatus including a backing, a film, and an item.

FIG. 2 is a view of an embodiment of a packaging apparatus including an activation card.

FIG. 3 is a view of an embodiment of a packaging apparatus including multiple items.

FIG. 4 is a view of an embodiment of a packaging apparatus including various items.

FIG. 5 is a view of an embodiment of a packaging apparatus in which the film is peeled back for removal of the item.

FIG. 6 is a view of an embodiment of a packaging apparatus including an activation card and an additional information system.

FIG. 7 is a view of an embodiment of a packaging apparatus including an activation card and additional information systems.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method for packaging.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an embodiment for authorization of an item.

Elements and steps in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been rendered according to any particular sequence. For example, steps that may be performed concurrently or in different order are illustrated in the figures to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The present invention may be described in terms of functional block components and various processing steps. Such functional blocks may be realized by any number of packaging and/or signal transmission components configured to perform the specified functions and achieve the various results. For example, the present invention may employ various techniques for evacuation of material, e.g., vacuum sealing, shrink-wrapping, and/or the like, which may carry out a variety of operations. In addition, the present invention may be practiced in conjunction with any number of storage mediums, hardware systems, networks, operating systems, and/or the like, and the system described is merely one exemplary application for the invention. Further, the present invention may employ any number of conventional techniques for activation of a software program, transmission of a verification signal, and/or the like.

Various representative implementations of the present invention may be applied to any system for packaging. Certain representative implementations may include, for example, distribution of a software program via a storage medium embedded with the software program, distribution and registration of consumer products via remote database authorization, and/or the like.

Referring now to FIG. 1, methods and apparatus for a packaging system 100 according to various aspects of the present invention may secure an item 106 to a backing 102. The packaging system 100 may comprise any system for containing the item 106. Tn the present embodiment, the item 106 is disposed between the backing 102 and a film 104 in which the film 104 adheres to the backing 102 by virtue of evacuation of material between the film 104 and the backing 102. Accordingly, the item 106 is substantially immobilized between the backing 102 and the film 104.

In addition to immobilization of the item 106, the packaging system 100 may be configured for specified characteristics relating to distribution of the item 106 in commerce, such as security features, robustness during shipping, efficiency of packaging, orderly tracking, and/or the like. For example, the packaging system 100 may ship in a configuration in which the item 106 is deactivated except in response to a verification signal. As another example, the packaging system 100 may be manufactured to specifications relating to protecting the item 106 from environmental hazards such as ultraviolet light, moisture, vibration, extreme temperatures, and/or the like. As yet another example, the packaging system 100 may comprise machine-readable identification tags configured to facilitate tracking of the item 106 in commerce.

Further, the packaging system 100 may be configured in conformance with a specified display scheme. For example, the backing 102 and/or the film 104 may be configured for transparency such that the item 106 may be viewed clearly by potential customers. As another example, the backing 102, the film 104, and/or the item 106 may include visual markings such as a specified coloration, product information, trademarks, directions, warnings, and/or the like. Further, the packaging system 100 may include features for affixing the packaging system 100 to a specified display scheme. For example, the packaging system 100 may include a notch 108 defining a hole through which a support structure such as a hanger bar may pass. The notch 108 may be configured to support the weight of the backing 102, the film 104, and the item 106 on the hanger bar.

The hacking 102 may comprise any system for protecting the item 106 and/or providing structural support to the packaging system 100. For example, the backing 102 may comprise a piece of material having dimensions exceeding that of the item 106 such that the backing 102 rather than the item 106 absorbs the impact when, for example, the packaging system 100 is dropped. In the present embodiment, the backing 102 comprises a substantially rectangular piece of paperboard or other resilient or substantially rigid material having dimensions such that the item 106 may be secured entirely within the perimeter of the backing 102. In addition, in the present embodiment the backing 102 includes the notch 108 to facilitate display of the packaging system 100.

The backing 102 may be adapted to the item 106, the anticipated display technique, or other relevant criteria. The backing may 102 be configured to a specified dimension and from a specified material. For example, the hacking 102 may be sized and/or comprised of a suitable material to provide a specified robustness with regard to a specified stress condition, such as bending. In addition, the backing 102 may have a geometry corresponding to the item, for example a circular backing 102 paired with a circular item 106, or unrelated to the item 106, for example a rectangular backing 102 paired with an ovoid item 106, and/or the like. Further, the backing 102 may comprise any suitable material, such as cellulose, cotton, wool, polymer, combinations or derivatives of such materials, and/or the like. The backing 102 may be selected and configured for any appropriate material properties, such as cost, elasticity, transparency, reflectivity, adherence, tensile strength, permeability, and/or the like. The backing 102 may comprise a single piece of material or multiple pieces of material coupled together such as a composite, laminate, multiple pieces of the same material, and/or the like.

The film 104 secures the item 106 to the backing 102 and/or protects the item 106. The film 104 may be adapted according to the application or environment of the packaging system 100, such as elasticity, transparency, reflectivity, adherence, tensile strength, permeability, and/or the like. In addition, the film 104 may comprise any appropriate materials, such as cellulose, cotton, wool, polymer, derivatives of such materials, and/or the like. In the present embodiment, the film 104 comprises a piece of the substantially transparent polymer skin resin sold under the tradename Surlyn®. The polymer skin may comprise ethylene acid copolymers in which the acid groups are partially neutralized with either zinc or sodium ions and [?]. The skin may be formed to substantially the same dimensions as one face of the backing 102, dimensions sufficiently to cover only a portion of on face the backing 102, dimensions sufficient to cover multiple faces of the backing, and/or the like. In this embodiment, the film 104 adheres to one face of the backing 102 and to a surface of the item 106 by virtue of evacuation of material between the backing 102 and the film 106.

The film 104 may secure the item 106 to the backing 102 in any suitable manner. For example, the film 104 may be coupled to the backing 102 via an adhesive, mechanical fastener, molecular bonds between the film 104 and the backing 102, vacuum seal between the backing 102 and the film, and/or the like. The film 104 may adhere to the backing 102 in multiple layers. For example, multiple pieces of polymer material may be coupled to a single backing 102 in series, multiple pieces of polymer material may be coupled to a single backing 102 independently, and/or the like.

The film 104 may be configured to decouple from the backing 102 in any suitable manner, such as by peeling 502, shattering, tearing, shredding, fracturing, deforming, and/or the like. In one embodiment, a region of the backing 102 is configured to detach from the rest of the backing to facilitate the peeling 502 of the film 104 away from the backing 102 to expose the item 106. Referring to FIG. 5, removal of the item 106 from the backing 102 by peeling back the film 104 may also protect the item from inadvertent damage caused by the user, for example, in attempting to retrieve the item 106 from the packaging system 100.

The item 106 may comprise any material suited for distribution and/or packaging, such as a compact disc, flash memory device, magnetic disc memory device, magnetic film memory device, device comprising various memory technologies, and/or the like. In one embodiment, the item 106 comprises an optical or magnetic data storage system for accessing network-based services. For example, the item 106 may comprise a computer-readable optical disk that is configured to operate with a computer to receive and/or utilize services via a network, such as music, video, and/or game downloading and access services, telephone and/or Internet services, and/or the like. Tn the present embodiment, the item 106 provides a compact disc containing software configured to provide access to the Internet, music, video, gaming and/or other web portal prepaid services.

The item 106 may be configured in various embodiments. The item 106 may comprise software embedded in a storage medium. More than one item 106 may be coupled to a single backing 102. For example, referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the packaging system 100 may be configured to accommodate multiple identical items 106, 302 or different items 106, 402.

Referring to FIG. 2, an alternative embodiment for the packaging system 100 may include an activation card 210 coupled to the backing 102, the film 104, and/or item 106. The activation card 210 may include any mechanism for activating or otherwise using the item 106 after the item 106 has been properly purchased by a user. For example, the activation card 210 may provide instructions for contacting an authorization system, such as a remote database, to facilitate use of the item 106. If the authorization system recognizes the item 106 as properly purchased, the authorization system may generate a verification signal. When the item 106 activates in response to the verification signal, the user may use the item 106. If the authorization system does not recognize the item 106 as properly purchased, the authorization system may not generate a verification signal and the item 106 may remain deactivated. In addition, the authorization system may be configured to generate a deactivation signal in the event that the authorization system detects that the item 106 has been improperly activated.

The activation card 210 may be configured to operate with and/or activate the item 106 in various embodiments. For example, the activation card 210 may operate with more than one item 106. Such a configuration may allow multiple items 106 to be activated by one activation card 210. This arrangement may be suitable, for example, for low security items 106 such as low value software programs embedded on a storage medium, and/or the like. Conversely, one item 106 may be configured for operation with a variety of activation cards 210. Such a configuration may require plural activations to activate the item 106. This arrangement may be suitable, for example, for high security items 106 such as high value software programs embedded on a storage medium.

The activation card 210 may be associated with the other components of the packaging system 200 in any suitable manner. For example, the activation card 210 may be attached to or form a part of the backing 102. The activation card 210 may be configured to be separated from the backing 102, for example, by tearing along a perforated portion of the backing 102, cutting along a portion of the backing 102, and/or the like. The activation card 210 may also be separate and distinct from the other components of the packaging system 200 such that the activation card 210 and the backing 102, the film 104, and the item 106 are not parts of a single larger unit. For example, the activation card 210 may be distributed separately from the backing 102, the film 104, and the item 106 so as maintain the activation card 210 in a secure location at the point-of-purchase.

The activation card 210 may be configured to exhibit any suitable properties, including elasticity, transparency, reflectivity, adherence, tensile strength, permeability, and/or the like. For example, the activation card 210 may have any appropriate dimensions and comprise any suitable material according to a specified application. In the present embodiment, the activation card 210 comprises a card backing 212, a card film 214, and an information tag 216. The card backing 212 provides a structure for the card film 214 and the information tag 216. The card film 214 may protect the activation card 210, for example, by preventing damage to the card during handling. The information tag 216 may provide the mechanism for the use and/or activation of the item 106.

The card backing 212 may comprise any system for providing structure to the card film 214 and the information tag 216. The card backing 212 may be substantially similar to the main backing 102 with regard to choice of materials. In one embodiment, the card backing 212 may be defined as a region of the backing 102. In another embodiment, the card backing 212 may comprise a distinct structure from the backing 102 and comprise different materials than the backing 102. In the present embodiment, the card backing 212 comprises a substantially stiff inexpensive material, such as card stock or paperboard, and is comprised of the same materials as the backing 102. Further, in the present embodiment, the card backing 212 is a defined by a perforation 604 within the backing 102.

The card film 214 may comprise any suitable material for protecting the activation card 210 and/or securing the information tag 216 or any other appropriate items to the card backing 212. In the present embodiment, the card film 214 comprises an extension of the film 104. The card film 214 may cover all or only a portion of the activation card 210, such as a portion of a single surface. Alternatively, the card film 214 may be omitted, for example, if the card backing 212 is sufficiently robust for shipping and display purposes and covering the card backing 212 would significantly increase the cost of production.

The information tag 216 may comprise any system for providing information relating to activation of the item 106 and may be used for any suitable purpose, such as to instruct the user regarding use of the item 106 and/or to facilitate activation of the item 106. The information tag 216 may comprise any suitable mechanism for providing information, such as a visible serial number, a magnetic strip, a Universal Product Code (UPC) mark, a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag, a device compatible with the wireless networking system sold under the tradename BlueTooth®, and/or the like. In the present embodiment, the information tag 216 facilitates communication with the authorization system such that each proper purchase of the item 106 may be recorded and the corresponding verification signal transmitted.

The information tag 216 may be located on the activation card 210 or any other suitable location, such as on the item 106 (FIG. 6) or on other regions of the packaging system 200. The packaging system 200 may also include multiple information tags 216, for example, on both the activation card 210 and the item 106. Multiple information tags 702, 704 (FIG. 7) may be configured to interoperate with various other information tags or systems, such as an item specific information tag 602 (FIG. 6) and/or the information tag 216. The combination of some of multiple information tags 216, 702, 704 may be configured to provide capabilities including additional security operability, inventory management operability for the various distributors of the packages, and/or the like.

The information tag 216 may store any suitable information. For example in the present embodiment relating to prepaid, network-related services, the information tag 216 may store information such as value information, manufacturer information, password information, item-specific encryption information, information for use in conjunction with the information tag 216, and/or the like. The information tag 702 coupled to the backing 102 may be configured to provide information relating to the backing 102 as distinct from the item 106 and activation card 210, for example to verify that the item 106, backing 102, and activation card 210 are grouped as they were upon packaging, to indicate when the system was packaged, by whom the system was packaged, to whom the package was shipped, and/or the like.

The present packaging system 100 may be implemented (FIG. 8) in accordance with various processing steps. The packaging system 100 may secure one or more items 106 to the backing 102 in any appropriate manner, such as via a fastener, through an adhesive material, with shrink-wrap, via vacuum seals, and/or the like. In the present embodiment, the packaging system 100 secures the item 106 between the backing 102 and the film 104 by virtue of evacuation of material between the film 104 and the backing 102 (820).

The hacking 102 may be formed (805) using various processing techniques. Some materials, such as polymer resins, acrylics, ceramics, and/or the like may be formed into the backing 102 by virtue of a mold having specified dimensions. Other materials, such as cellulose, fabrics, fiberglass, and/or the like may be formed into the backing 102 by cutting a larger piece of material to specified dimensions. In the present embodiment, the backing 102 is formed by cutting a piece of paperboard having a specified thickness into a rectangular piece having a width slightly wider than that of the item 106.

The item 106 may be disposed along a face of the backing 102 (810) in various embodiments in accordance with various techniques. The item 106 may be positioned by a worker using visual inspection to place the item 106 in a specified position on the backing 102. Alternatively, the item 106 may be positioned via a robotic device configured to place the item 106 in a specified position on the backing 102.

The film 104 may be placed across the backing 102 (815) in any suitable manner. In the event multiple packaging systems 100 are formed in parallel, the film 104 of each packaging system 100 may be a portion of a larger collection of such systems 100. In the event that each packaging system 100 is formed independently, the film 104 of each packaging system 100 may be individually positioned relative to each backing 102.

Material may be evacuated from between the film 104 and the backing 102 (820) in accordance with various processing techniques. In the event that the film 104 has material properties suited to a specified technique or machine, the evacuation process (820) may be tailored to that technique or machine. For example, if the film 104 is the polymer resin sold under the trademark Surlyn®, the film 104 may be coupled to the backing 102 (820) in accordance with the vacuum sealing process marketed under the tradename Stretch Pak.

The activation card 210 may be coupled to the backing 102 (825) in various embodiments. In embodiments where the activation card 210 is a distinct portion of the backing 102, this processing step may involve perforating or folding of the unitary backing material to demarcate the activation card 210 and the backing 102. In embodiments where the activation card 210 and the backing 102 are otherwise separate structures, the activation card 210 may be coupled to the backing 102 by way of adhesives, mechanical fasteners, or by including the activation card 210 during process of sealing the film 104 to the backing 102. The activation card 210 and backing 102 may by coupled inasmuch as both the activation card 210 and the backing 102 are coupled to the film 104.

To use the item 106 of the present embodiment, the item 106 may be activated (FIG. 9). For example, at the time of purchase, one or more of the information tags 216 may provide instructions for communication with an authorization system. The authorization system may be configured to evaluate purchase records of the item 106, determine whether the item 106 is authorized, for example, in a database storing information relating to several items 106 characterized by unique identifiers, and/or the like.

In one embodiment, an electronic system connected to the Internet is located at the point-of-sale. This system may be configured to identify the item 106 purchased, such as by scanning of the information tag 216 via an RFID reader, via a UPC reader, entry of a user-readable sequence of numbers, and/or the like. Further, the system may be configured to send an identifier, such as information stored in the information tag 216, to the authorization system. The authorization system may be configured to store information relating to the item 106 such as whether the item 106 has been purchased.

When the user wishes to use the item 106, the item 106 and/or the user may initiate communication with the authorization system (905) in accordance with set of the instructions. For example, to access prepaid Internet services, the item 106 may comprise a minidisk that is placed in a computer. Instructions stored on the minidisk may cause the computer to contact the authorization system automatically, such as via the Internet. The item 106 may provide its unique identifier to the authorization system, which then determines whether the item 106 is properly authorized (910).

If the item 106 is not verified as properly authorized, the service may be terminated (920) and the user notified. If the item 106 is verified as properly authorized, the authorization system may facilitate the provision of the services (915), such as pre-paid communications services, pre-paid Internet access, pre-paid subscription services, pre-paid electronic data download services, pre-paid computer gaming services, and/or the like. The activation card 210 may also contain activation information, such as a password. The activation card 210 may be separated from the minidisk so that the user may keep the information separate and secure. Consequently, an unauthorized user may be prevented from use of the item 106 without the activation card 210.

In addition to activation of electronic items 106, the packaging system 100 may be configured to define the terms of use of other types of items 106. For example, the item 106 may comprise an aftermarket automobile part. In the event that the user fails to activate the item 106, for example, by registering the item with the manufacturer's database within a specified timeframe after purchase, the item 106 may have benefits reduced, such as the warranty may automatically lapse, the part may be reported as missing, and/or the like. Alternatively, if the user activates the item 106 in accordance with the activation card, the item 106 may be entitled to specified benefits such as an extended warranty, recycling reimbursement, and/or the like.

In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments. Various modifications and changes may be made, however, without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims. The specification and figures are illustrative, rather than restrictive, and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined by the claims and their legal equivalents rather than by merely the examples described.

For example, unless otherwise specified, the steps recited in any method or process claims may be executed in any order and are not limited to the specific order presented in the claims. Additionally, the components and/or elements recited in any apparatus claims may be assembled or otherwise operationally configured in a variety of permutations and are accordingly not limited to the specific configuration recited in the claims.

Benefits, advantages, and solutions to problems have been described with regard to particular embodiments. Any benefit, advantage, solution to problems, or any element that may cause any particular benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or to become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required or essential features or components of any or all the claims.

The terms “comprise”, “comprises”, “comprising”, “having”, “including”, “includes” or any variation thereof, are intended to reference a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, composition or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements recited, but may also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, composition or apparatus. Other combinations and/or modifications of the above-described structures, arrangements, applications, proportions, elements, materials or components used in the practice of the present invention, in addition to those not specifically recited, may be varied or otherwise particularly adapted to specific environments, manufacturing specifications, design parameters or other operating requirements without departing from the general principles of the same. 

1. A packaging apparatus, comprising: a backing; a film coupled to the backing, wherein the couple between the film and the backing is formed by evacuation of material along the interface between the film and the backing; an item disposed between the film and the hacking, wherein the item is deactivated except in response to a verification signal from a database; and an activation card coupled to the backing, wherein the activation card comprises a set of instructions for transmission of the verification signal.
 2. A packaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the item comprises a network access software program embedded in a storage medium; and the verification signal is transmitted in response to entry of information into the database according to the set of instructions.
 3. A packaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the set of instructions are embedded within an information tag.
 4. A packaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second item, wherein the activation card comprises a set of instructions for transmission of the verification signal.
 5. A packaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second activation card, wherein the second activation card comprises a second set of instructions for transmission of the verification signal.
 6. A packaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the backing and film comprise a collocated notch defining a hole configured to receive a hanger and support the combined weight of the backing, the film, the item, and the activation card.
 7. A packaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the film comprises a substantially transparent resin comprised of ethylene acid copolymers; and the acid groups are at least partially neutralized with at least one of zinc and sodium ions.
 8. A packaging method, comprising: forming a backing; disposing an item about a face of the backing, wherein the item is deactivated except in response to a verification signal from a database; placing a film across the backing, wherein the item is disposed between the backing and the film; evacuating material along the interface between the film and the backing; and coupling an activation card to the backing, wherein the activation card comprises a set of instructions for transmission of the verification signal.
 9. A packaging method according to claim 8, wherein: the item comprises a network access software program embedded in a storage medium; and the verification signal is transmitted in response to entry of information into the database according to the set of instructions.
 10. A packaging method according to claim 8, wherein the set of instructions are embedded within an information tag.
 11. A packaging method according to claim 8, further comprising disposing a second item about the face of the backing, wherein the activation card comprises a set of instructions for transmission of the verification signal
 12. A packaging method according to claim 8, further comprising coupling a second activation card to the backing, wherein the second activation card comprises a second set of instructions for transmission of the verification signal.
 13. A packaging method according to claim 8, further comprising forming within the film and backing a collocated notch defining a hole configured to receive a hanger and support the combined weight of the backing, the film, the item, and the activation card.
 14. A packaging method according to claim 8, wherein: the film comprises a substantially transparent resin comprised of ethylene acid copolymers, and the acid groups are at least partially neutralized with at least one of zinc and sodium ions.
 15. A packaging apparatus, comprising: a backing; a film coupled to the backing, wherein the couple between the film and the backing is formed by evacuation of material along the interface between the film and the backing; a storage medium disposed between the film and the backing, wherein: a network access software program is embedded in the storage medium, and the network access software program is deactivated except in response to a verification signal from a remote database; and an activation card coupled to the backing, wherein: the activation card comprises a set of instructions for transmission of the verification signal, and the verification signal is transmitted in response to entry of information into the remote database according to the set of instructions.
 16. A packaging apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the set of instructions are embedded within an information tag.
 17. A packaging apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising a second item, wherein the activation card comprises a set of instructions for transmission of the verification signal.
 18. A packaging apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising a second activation card, wherein the second activation card comprises a second set of instructions for transmission of the verification signal.
 19. A packaging apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the backing and film comprise a collocated notch defining a hole configured to receive a hanger and support the combined weight of the backing, the film, the item, and the activation card.
 20. A packaging apparatus according to claim 15, wherein: the film comprises a substantially transparent resin comprised of ethylene acid copolymers, and the acid groups are at least partially neutralized with at least one of zinc and sodium ions. 